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Team

Meet The Grit Robotics Team

Team Grit posed for a group photo in preparation for the DARPA Robitics Challenge on June 2, 2015 in Ponoma, California. (Photo By: Sun L. Vega, DARPA)

Karl Castleton –Team Lead

Karl is an adjunct professor of Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University and was a Systems Integration Engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His research interests are software and hardware integration of robotics, environmental models and web based systems. He was the lead software developer for Team Mojavaton on the 2007 Urban Challenge and a software developer in 2005 Grand Challenge. He has an A.A.S in Electronics Technology and a BS in Computer Science from Colorado Mesa University and a MS in Computer Science from Washington State University. He also has an extensive actual and toy Robot Collection.

Michaela Ervin – Software Lead

Michaela is recent graduate of Colorado Mesa University. She is an experienced C/C++ programmer and enjoys every minute she gets to work with the Grit Robotics team. She has written many software modules, including the robots vision and range sensing (Lidar), neck controls, and graphical interfaces to communicate with cog-burn.

Chris Williams – Mechanical Lead

Chris helped develop and engineer new legs that help provide stability reduce power usage. For his day job he is leading a group of engineers in the development and manufacturing of novel pyrotechnic compositions and devices for DoD applications.

Emilee has been working with electronics and robotics for most of her life, she grew up helping her Dad with on past challenges and helped with the electronics of our robot. Currently a student studying computer science and math.

Brandon Foss – Master Mechanic / Software Developer

Brandon is a master mechanic and is a Computer Science major at Colorado Mesa University. He is knowledgeable in C/C++ and other programming languages. He has built his own 3D printer and developed the first robot hand prototypes on his home 3D printer.

Dr. Warren MacEvoy – Software Developer

Warren is a professor of Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University. He teaches classes in Unix, robotics, embedded systems and various programming languages. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from University of Arizona and a BS in Computer Science, Mathematics, & Physics from Colorado Mesa University. Warren was a member of Team Mojavaton for DARPA Urban Challenge in 2005 and 2007 where he, along with Karl, wrote most of the software. Warren was a member of the Mesa State College team that won several regional ACM collegiate programming contests including some impressive finishes at the international level. Warren has been chairing and running the ACM Rocky Mountain Regional Programming Contests since 2000.

Jareth is a High School student who has participated in First Robotics for a number of years. His skills in 3D printing and modeling helped build custom parts for the robot.

Jenaer Rader – Mechanical Engineering

Jenaer is a graduate of Colorado University with Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science.

Luke Schaefer – Software Developer / WebSite / Electronics

Luke is a Computer Science major at Colorado Mesa University. He is knowledgeable in C/C++, C#, Java, PHP and other programming languages. He also has experience developing and running websites. Some other skills include IT Systems, Wireless Networking, and electronics.

Former Contributors

Grit Robotics Team 2013

Dr. Ram Basnet –Software Developer

Ram is a professor of Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University. He teaches classes in cyber security, web development, and courses in various programming languages. He holds a MS and PhD in Computer Science from New Mexico Tech and BS in Computer Science from Colorado Mesa University.

Dr. Francisco Castro –Mechanical Engineer

Francisco is an instructor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado – Boulder. He has worked on the inverse kinematics algorithms that allow the human operator to control the robot’s arms using a Leap Motion sensor. He teaches classes in Numerical Methods, System Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis, Component Design and Senior Design Projects in the Colorado Mesa University/University of Colorado-Boulder Partnership Mechanical Engineering Program. He holds a MS in Mechanical Engineering from CU-Denver and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from CU-Boulder.

Dan Councilman –Machine Designer

Dan is the President of Genesis Engineered Solutions, a custom machine design firm in Denver. Dan has assisted in the design of the robot components and the control system.

Jim Crittenden –Machine Designer

Jim is a mechanical engineer with a passion for machine design. He has been Director of Operations for C5 Medical Werks and Manufacturing Manager at CoorsTek in Grand Junction where he championed lean manufacturing and factory automation. He formed Team Mojavaton in 2004 to compete in the DARPA Grand Challenge contest for autonomous vehicles.

Mike Hawkins – Machine Designer

Mike is a professional machine designer who assisted with the design and construction of the electrical system on the robot.

Mike Kitzman – Software Developer

Mike is a graduate of Colorado Mesa University. He teaches at CMU part-time while working full-time as a software developer at a local company. Mike wrote code that allows communication with the Laser Range Finder (LIDAR) on the robot’s head.

Carolyn Loren – Marketing & PR

Carolyn is a Psychology major at Colorado Mesa University. She is working on various media and social networking projects for Grit Robotics. Carolyn is also taking a major initiative to start a kickstarter project to raise money to fund Grit Robotics.

Phil Miller – Machinist

Phil is a professional machinist who has fabricated all of the metal components of our robot. He was also a member of the Mojavaton team in the DARPA Grand Challenge and fabricated all of the components for our autonomous car.

Skyler Ogden – 3D printing & Machine Designer

Skyler is studying mechanical engineering at CU Boulder and will graduate in May 2014. He designed many of the robot’s components using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. He is also an expert in 3D printing and fabricated the robot’s 3D plastic components.

Ian Ramsey – Machine Designer

Ian is a professional machine designer. He works for Genesis Engineered Solutions and assisted in the design of the robot’s components. He performed stress analysis using SolidWorks on the robot’s high stress points.

Walt Rhodes – Fabricator

Walt is a retired manager from the oil and gas industry. He is an accomplished welder and fabricator who has built various structures for the robot, including ramps, simulated valves and a safety gantry.

Sophat Sem – Software Developer

Sem is a senior in Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University. As a member of Grit Robotics, Sem contributes to various parts of the robot’s software by writing code in C++ and Python.

Dan Stadelman – Software developer

Dan is a Computer Science graduate of Colorado Mesa University and works as a full time programmer. He developed the repository for all the software codes. He also worked on the 0MQ protocol that our robot uses for communication.

Samuel Van Pelt – Software Developer

Sam is currently a Software Development Engineer at Amazon who studied Computer Science at Colorado Mesa University. He is knowledgeable in C++ and Python. Sam is writing code to monitor the robot’s vital signs to assure that everything is working properly.

Eric Wilcox – Machine Designer

Eric is a graduate student at Texas A&M in robotics. He developed the custom gloves with sensors that allow the human operator to control the robot’s hands.